Donald Leroy DeHaai, 83, of Cedar Grove, passed away on Tuesday, April 3, 2018, at St. Luke's Medical Center in Milwaukee with his family at his side.
Donald was born on August 26, 1934, in Souix Falls, SD to Fred and Blanche (DeGeest) DeHaai. He was a 1952 graduate of Armour High School. Donald served in the U.S. Army from 1957 to 1959.
On May 29, 1959, Donald married Mary Ann Navis in Cedar Grove. Donald worked various jobs over his career and retired from Kettle Lakes Co-op in 1996.
Don was a charter member of Faith Reformed Church in Cedar Grove where he sang in the church choir and served as deacon, Sunday school teacher, and usher. He also sang in the Pine Haven Men's Chorus for 40 years.
Don enjoyed attending children and grandchildren's sporting events over the years and volunteered for the Cedar Grove Belgium School District as a member of the chain gang and statistician. He was also the coordinator of the Gra-Y Program for many years. He enjoyed music, bowling, roller skating, and traveling to Florida for family vacations.
Donald is survived by his loving wife of almost 59 years, Mary Ann DeHaai; two daughters, Patti (Carl) Claerbout, Dawn (Tom) Hameister; two sons, Michael (Doris) DeHaai, Terry (Jennifer) DeHaai; twelve Grandchildren, David (Amanda) DeHaai, Peter (JoEllen) DeHaai, Alex (Lauren) DeHaai, Ryan DeHaai, Danielle DeHaai, Seth DeHaai, Tyler (Kayla) Weavers, Briana (Brandon) Miles, Ashley (Andrew) Salomone, Shaunna (Marc) Dyrcz, Kim (Kyle) Sandmire, Scott Hameister; ten great-grandchildren, Adam, Matthew, Noah, Levi, Micah, Isaac, Aurelia, Autumn, Daniel, Odin; and two brother-in-laws, Richard (Mary) Navis, Larry (Lynn) Navis. Donald is further survived by other nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
Donald was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Blanche DeHaai; and his parents-in-law, Warren and Hazel Navis.
A funeral service to celebrate Donald's life will be held at Faith Reformed Church in Cedar Grove on Friday, April 6, 2018, at 7:00 pm with Rev. Ron Sanford officiating. A private family burial will take place at Cedar Grove Cemetery on Saturday.
Relatives and friends may greet the family at the church on Friday from 4:00 pm until the time of service at 7:00 pm.
A memorial fund is being established in his name for the Cedar Grove First Responders and Oostburg Ambulance.
For online condolences and additional information please visit
www.wenigfh.com
.
The Wenig Funeral Home of Oostburg (920-564-2771) is serving the DeHaai family with arrangements.
